Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. island staunchly supported UK through both World Wars and remained in Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about mid-1980s, island has become a freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist destination. It is an official candidate for EU membership.

Geography

Malta

Location:

Southern Europe, islands in Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

country comprises an archipelago, with only three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing commercial exploitation of continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974 and again in 1987

Legal system:

based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Guido DE MARCO (since 4 April 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Eddie FENECH ADAMI (since 6 September 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 4 April 1999)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president on advice of prime minister
elections: president elected by House of Representatives for a five-year term; election last held NA April 1999 (next to be held by April 2004); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by president for a five-year term; deputy prime minister is appointed by president on advice of prime minister
election results: Guido DE MARCO elected president; percent of House of Representatives vote - 54%

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note - additional seats are given to party with largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected by popular vote on basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held by April 2008)
election results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.7%, MLP 47.6%, AD 0.7%; seats by party - PN 34, MLP 31

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by president on advice of prime minister

Political parties and leaders:

Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Harry VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Edward FENECH ADAMI]

two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in upper hoist-side corner is a representation of George Cross, edged in red

Economy

Malta

Economy - overview:

Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. Malta is privatizing state-controlled firms and liberalizing markets in order to prepare for membership in European Union. island remains divided politically, however, over question of joining EU. Continued sluggishness in globel economy is holding back exports, tourism, and overall growth.